Sanitary hydrant



April 20, 1954 J. c. HOBBS ET AL 2,675,825

SANITARY HYDRANT Filed March 29, 1949 III IN VEN TORS JAN/F5 C- HOBBS BYaQ GEOPGE HOBBS A TTOPNE Y5 Patented Apr. 20, 1954 SANITARY HYDRAN T James C. Hobbs, Coral Gables, Fla., and George S. Hobbs, Painesville, Ohio Application March 29, 1949, Serial No. 84,126

8 Claims. 1

The present invention relates generally to means for storing and transferring liquids, and is more particularly concerned with a hydrant for supplying potable water in outdoor locations under freezing conditions.

Outdoor potable water hydrants such as drinking fountains and the hydrants located in railroad coach service yards and in automobile service stations present a serious maintenance problem, particularly during the cold weather periods of th year. In efforts to overcome the freezing hazard and reduce the maintenance problem such devices in some cases have heretofore been provided with a drain or weep hole opening through the hydrant housing at a. point below the frost line in the ground so that when the hydrant is not in use water in the hydrant above that point can drain out before freezing. This expedient, however, has the very serious drawback that contaminated surface water can and often does enter the hydrant and pollutes the otherwise potable water delivered by the hydrant. It is also possible, because of backflow efiects in the ordinary hydrants, for this contaminated water to enter and pollute a water distribution system throughout a wide area surrounding a single such hydrant.

More recently developed and presently used hydrants have, instead of the Weep hole, a complicated system of check valve mechanisms, eductors and water storage chambers designed to eliminate the serious health hazard inherent in the weep hole devices. These newer hydrants are, however, quite bulky and require almost constant maintenance because of frequent check valve failure. Furthermore, this maintenance is quite diflicult, time consuming and expensive because the hydrants are necessarily largely .embedded in the ground and practically any service work on them requires their removal from the ground. As still further drawbacks, this type of hydrant has an initial cost which is quite high, and satisfactory operation requires a, reversal of water flow.

To meet the urgent demand for a, simple, inexpensive and effective hydrant which is proof against contamination by surface water, we have conceived the present invention. The hydrant of our invention in addition to eliminating the reverse flow, avoids the necessity for any check valve and the attending burdensome maintenance requirements, eliminates mechanism for draining the hydrant, and eliminates sliding or rubbing parts which will wear rapidly in use. V In addition our hydrant is easier to install and 2 consist of fewer, simpler and less expensive parts than those heretofore known. Furthermore, whatever repair and maintenance attentions may be required from time to time can be readily carried out on the hydrants of this invention without excavating and removing the hydrant as a whole from its place in the ground. Still further, where the prior hydrants tend to leak and special effort is required to close their valves completely to avoid dangerous ice accumulations around said hydrants, those of this invention operate virtually automatically to assure tight shutoff at the control valve. By merely nudging the operatin handle toward its closed position forces are released in the device and applied directly to the control valve so that it is quickly fluid-tightly closed and maintained closed as long as desired.

Additional important objects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the detailed description proceeds, reference being had to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, in which Fig. 1 is an elevational view partly in section of thefhydrant embodying this invention in one form;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of one end of a spout of another hydrant, showing how the spout and resilient liner are secured together by means of a ring;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2 but of another form of liner and ring;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to that of Figs. 2 and 3, showing another form of this invention embodyin still another type of ring;

Fig. 5 is a view like 2 but of still another form of this invention; and

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the lower portion of a hydrant assembly showing another form of housing secured to the valve body.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the hydrant of this invention, generally speaking, comprises a spout which has inlet and outlet openings and a liquid accumulating portion between these openings, a flexible elastic tube or liner within the spout which is secured liquidtightly to the spout at spaced apart points and is spaced radially from the spout in the accumulating portion. The tube thus constitutes a fluid passage-defining element so that liquid passing through the accumulating portion is contained within the tube at some distanc from the opposing inside surface portions of the spout, depending upon the radial distance between the spout and tube. As a result, when and if the pressure within the tube is substantially increased, as, for instance, when liquid therein freezes and expands, this pressure may be relieved by expansion of the resiilent tube. In practice, therefore, the resiliency or yieldabiilty of the tube is correlated with the static liquid pressure head obtained in the tube, the pressures which could develop upon freezing of the liquid within the tube, and the space separating the tube from the portion of the spout within which such freezing may take place, whereby the spout will at all times be assured against breakage through the application upon it of abnormal internal pressures.

More particularly, the form of the invention illustrated herein comprises a spout iii of the usual general inverted J shape having an inlet opening H at its lower end below the frost line indicated in outline at F below ground surface G, an outlet opening [2 at its upper end and a breathing aperture Hi opening downwardly adjacent to said upper end. The two extremities of spout m are provided with external threads for connection with a hose coupling (not shown) and a valve subsequently to be described. A flexible, elastic or resilient tube ii of about the same length as spout It and normally of somewhat reduced diameter extends through the spout and has an upper end portion 16 and a lower end portion ll substantially fluid-tightly secured respectively to the opposing wall portions of the upper and lower ends of the spout. Tube [5 is held in place in the spout by a pair of metal ferrule rings I9 which are enclosed within the ends of the tube, end portions of the tube being doubled back over the rings and secured to adjacent portions by rubber cement, vulcanizing, or other suitable means or methods. Breathing aperture I l thus is disposed between the two ends of the tube and the space between the tube and spout is open to the atmosphere so that undesirable pressure or vacuum effects cannot develop in the space between the tube and spout due to fluctuations in pressure within the tube and resulting expansion or contraction of said tube. Satisfactory operation of the hydrant, however, does not demand a breathi ing aperture of this kind; but when such a breathing aperture is used, greater flow through the spout is possible.

The lower threaded end of the spout is screwed into a threaded outlet opening 29 in a valve body 2! having an inlet port 22 communicating with opening through a passageway 23 and with a source of fluid under pressure (not shown) through housing 24 into which body 2| is screwed. Port 22 is defined by a seating surface with which is engageable a valve disk 25 carried by stem 21 movable relative to body 2|. Stem 27 is screw thread engaged with bushing 28 to permit relativeposition adjustment between the stem and camsection 29 of handle 39. Between bushing 28 and handle 39 there is a thin bearing washer 3! of material having suitable wear resistant properties. A spring 32 below and bearing against bushing 28 serves to urge the valve stem con.- stantly to the closed position. The lower end of the spring bears upon the upper side of apertured cap 33 through which the spout and stem extend and which encloses the top end of stand pipe 34. The handle is held in position against bearing washer 3! by spout clamp 35 which is fastened to the spout by two set screws 36. A slot 31 is provided in clamp 35 to permit relative movement of handle through a substantially vertical arc. The sides 38 of the spout clamp extend downwardly on opposite sides and interlock with a rib 39 integral with cap 33. This arrangement guides the bushing during opening and closing of the valve and also prevents the spout from being inadvertently unscrewed from body 2 I. The lower end of stand pipe 34 is screwed into said housing as also is said body and the assembly is partially buried in the ground so that the valve body will be below the frost level.

Sealing means l-il of the O ring type are applied to the stem where it passes through the body and also where the spout passes through the cap.

In the Fig. 2 form of the invention a ring it of generally frustro-conical shape is employed as the means for holding a tube 2-2 in position in engagement with the end portion of spout it. For best results in this form annular grooves 53 are out along outside surface of ring in the opposing surface of spout H and suitable cement, which will adhere well both to the metal of the ring and spout and to the tube, should be used, being applied just prior to assembling the parts as shown. The end of this tube which is suitably 0f the same type as tube and of elastomeric character, 1. e. natural or artificial rubber, may be left free, as shown, or may be folded back inside the tube to cover ring "all, or may be otherwise disposed in the assembly or severed and removed after the parts are cemented together.

In Fig. 3 another form of tube is shown. This tube d8 differs in having a molded or beaded end describing a flange which bears upon the outer edge of ring as and serves to lock the ring in position and assure the constant liquid sealing contact of the tube with spout it. This tube may also be cemented to the ring and/ or the spout, as desired.

In the Fig. 4 form of the invention, tube 42 is used with a split snap ring 5!] of substantially rectangular cross section and a spout 52 having an annular groove or recess 55 in which the ring may force portions of the tube to assure liquid sealing engagement of the parts at all times. Suitable cement should also be employed as in the Fig. 2 assembly.

In Fig. 5 a spout of substantially the same end shape and form as spout I0 is shown fitted with a tube 63 of rubber-like material having an end portion vulcanized to a helical wire spring 54. This spring is actually embedded in the tube but still exerts its resilient effect to the tube and to assure tight engagement of the tube and spout o0 even if cement is not used to secure the parts together. By virtue of this tube construction, it is feasible in commercial practice to form both ends of the tube before assembling the tube and the spout. In making the assembly, then, one end of the tube is deformed to describe in general an oval and then moving that end of the tube through the spout with the major axis of the oval coinciding with the centerline of the spout.

Housing 10, shown in Fig. 6, is in the form of a T rather than an L like housing 2d, and its inlet and outlet openings H and 1'2, respectively, are substantially aligned for free fluid flow through the body. This housing further has an integrally formed base pad on which the hydrant may be supported during storage or installation. Between openings "H and it, the housing is provided with an enlarged port I? in which a valve body 18 and the lower end of stand pipe 34 are received and secured to said housing. Valve body 18 is quite similar to body 21 but is of larger diameter so that valve inlet port 19 is centered axial-1y in the body.

Having thus described the present invention so that those skilled in the art' maybe able to understand and practice the same, we state that What we desire to secure by Letters Patent is defined in what is claimed.

What is claimed is:-

1. In a hydrant for use at sub-freezing temperatures having a valve body with an inlet and an outlet and means including a valve stem for regulating water flow from the body through the outlet, the combination of a self-clearing spout assembly including a spout pipe having an inlet communicating with said valve body below the frost line and having an outlet above the ground line, and an elastic tube within the spout pipe and secured liquid-tightly to the spout pipe on annular surfaces near "the spout pipe inlet and outlet to contain and conduct'water through the said pipe from the valve body outlet, said spout pipe having an inside diameter enough greater than that of the tube to permit enough'crosssectional enlargement of the tube to allow water standing to freeze and to allow water to flow through the spout pipe past ice contained in the said tube. V

2. In a hydrant for useat sub-freezing temperatures having a valve body with an inlet and an outlet and means including a valve stem for regulating water flow from the body through the outlet, the combination of a self-clearing spout assembly including a spout pipe having an inlet communicating with said valve body below the frost line and having a downwardly discharging outlet above the ground line, and an elastic tube within the spout pipe and secured liquid-tightly to the spout pipe on annular surfaces near the spout pipe inlet and outlet to contain and conduct water through the said pipe from the valve body outlet, said spout pipe having a vent opening above the ground line and between the points of connection of the tube and spout pipe and having an inside diameter enough greater than that of the tube to permit enough cross-sectional enlargement of the tube to allow water standing to freeze and to allow water to flow through the spout pipe past ice contained in the said tube.

3. In a hydrant for use at sub-freezing temperatures having a valve body with an inlet and an outlet and means including a valve stem for regulating water flow from the body through the outlet, the combination of a self-clearing spout assembly including a spout pipe having an inlet communicating with said valve body below the frost line and having a downwardly discharging outlet above the ground line, an elastic tube within the spout pipe to contain and conduct.

water through the said pipe from the valve body outlet, and means for securing said tube liquidtightly to the spout pipe, said means including rings disposed within and engaging only the ends of said tube and positioned to hold said ends in place against the opposed inner surfaces of the end portions of said spout pipe, said spout pipe having an inside diameter enough greater than that of the tube to permit enough cross-sectional enlargement of the tube to allow water standing to freeze and to allow water to flow through the spout pipe past ice contained in the said tube.

4. In a hydrant for use at sub-freezing temperatures having a valve body with an inlet and an outlet and means including a valve stem for regulating water flow from the body through the outlet, the combination of a self-clearing spout assembly including a spout pipe having an inlet communicating with said valve body below the frost line and having a downwardly discharging outlet above the ground line, an elastic tube within the spout pipe to contain and conduct water through the said pipe from the valve body outlet, and means for securing said tube liquidtightly to the spout pipe, said means including, rings having tapered outer surfaces disposed within and engaging only the ends of said tube and positioned to press said ends in place against opposed tapered inner surfaces of the end portions of said spout pipe, said spout pipe having an inside diameter enough greater than that of the tube to permit enough cross-sectional enlargementof the tube to allow water standing to freeze and to allow'water to flow through the spout pipe past ice contained in the said tube.

5. In a hydrant for use at sub-freezing temperatures having a'valve body with an inlet and an outlet and means including a valve stem for regulating Water flow from the body through the: outlet, the combination of aself-clearing spout assembly including a spout pipe having an inlet communicating with said valve body below the frost line and having a downwardly discharging outlet above the ground line, an elastic tube within the spout pipe to contain and conduct Water through the said pipe from the valve body outlet and having end portions of enlarged crosssection, and means for securing said tube liquidtightly to the spout pipe, said means including resilient rings disposed within and engaging only the ends of said tube and positioned to resiliently hold said ends in place against the opposed inner surfaces of end portions of said spout pipe, said spout pipe having an inside diameter enough greater than that of the tube to permit enough cross-sectional enlargement of the tube to allow water standing to freeze and to allow water to flow through the spout pipe past ice contained in the said tube.

6. In a hydrant for use at sub-freezing temperatures having a valve body with an inlet and an outlet and means including a valve stem for regulating water flow from the body through the outlet, the combination of a self-clearing spout assembly including a spout pipe having an inlet communicating with said valve body below the frost line and having a downwardly discharging outlet above the ground line, an elastic tube within the spout pipe to contain and conduct water through the said pipe from the valve body outlet, and means for securing said tube liquidtightly to the spout pipe, said means including transversely split spring rings disposed within and engaging only the ends of said tube and positioned to hold said ends resiliently in place in grooves in the opposed inner surfaces of the end portions of said spout pipe, said spout pipe having an inside diameter enough greater than that of the tube to permit enough cross-sectional enlargement of the tube to allow water standing to freeze and to allow water to flow through the spout pipe past ice contained in the said tube.

7. In a hydrant for use at sub-freezing temperatures having a valve body with an inlet and an outlet and means including a valve stem for regulating water flow from the body through the outlet, the combination of a self-clearing spout assembly including a spout pipe having an inlet communicating with said valve body below the frost line and having a downwardly discharging outlet above the ground line, a rubber tube within the spout pipe to contain and conduct water through the said pipe from the valve body outlet, and means for securing said tube liquid-tightly to the spout pipe, said means including coiled wire springs embedded in the ends of said tube and positioned resiliently to hold said ends in place against the opposed inner surfaces of the end portions of said spoutpipe, said spout pipe having a vent opening above the ground and between said rings and having an inside diameter enough greater than that of the tube to permit enough cross-sectional enlargement of the tube to allow water standing to freeze and to allow water to flow through the spout pipe past ice contained in the said tube.

8. In a hydrant for use at sub-freezing temperatures having a valve body with an inlet and an outlet and means including a valve stem for regulating water fiow from the body through the outlet, the combination of a self-clearing spout assembly including a spout pipe having an inlet communicating with said valve body below the frost line and having a downwardly discharging outlet above the ground line, a rubber tube within the spout pipe to contain and conduct water through the said pipe from the-valve body outlet, and means for securing said tube liquidtightly to the spout pipe, said means including a deformable resilient ring secured to-each end of the tube whereby the tube may be moved through the pipe without diminishing its ability to sealingly engage said spout pipe, said spout pipe having an inside diameter enough greater than that of the tube to permit enough cross-sectional enlargement of the tube to allow water standing to freeze and to allow water to flow through the spout pipe past ice contained in the said tube.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,501,799 Neumeyer July 15, 1924 2,448,118 Pellettere Aug. 13, 1948 2,467,296 Doe Apr. 12, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 5,396 Great Britain 1896 10,030 Great Britain 1897 195,647 Great Britain 1923 7,520 Germany Oct. 10, 1879 568,398 Germany 1933 419,833 France 1910 

